The 2009 WRX has moved decidedly up the food chain, but the identically styled Impreza 2.5GT is overpriced and underwhelming.

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We tend to like Subarus around here, thanks to their all-weather fun factor and funky spirits. Seldom do we find much to dislike that their reasonable-for-an-all-wheel-drive-vehicle prices can’t explain away. But the 2009 Impreza GT leaves us scratching our heads.

Basically an Impreza with the same 224-hp engine found in the 2008 WRX and nice-looking multispoke 17-inch wheels, the Impreza GT offers more performance than the 170-hp Impreza without the more hard-core inclinations of this year’s new WRX. It adds to the base Impreza comfort items such as climate control, a sunroof, and larger front brakes.

But after our time with it, we found that no matter how many features it might boast, there’s no getting away from the fact that the Impreza GT still feels like an economy car. There is no big rush of power to distract you from the tinny sheetmetal. The hard, shiny plastics on the dash and doors are unacceptable even in far cheaper cars these days, and the lack of a usable center armrest is but further evidence of budget-minded design.

Willing Chassis, Happy Engine, Lazy Automatic

We’ve seldom issued too many complaints about the Impreza chassis, and you won’t find many here, either. The quick steering enlivens the driving experience and is complemented by a responsive suspension and an all-wheel-drive system that rarely allows any tire to chirp. The brakes are similarly sharp, thanks to those enlarged front rotors. And as with other Imprezas we’ve driven, the GT’s ride quality is excellent, but it sets a priority of comfort too much over a level attitude in extreme maneuvering.

Although the engine is still the turbo boxer gem it’s always been, powertrains are like ballroom dancers: The leader is only as good as his partner. The sole partner for this engine is a relatively limp four-speed automatic with a manual shift gate but no paddles, which slows what could be a tango to a leisurely waltz. The 224-hp 2008 WRX we tested hustled to 60 in 5.8 seconds, but that was with a manual transmission, not the slushbox. Meanwhile, the 2009 WRX comes in with 41 more hp, 18 more lb-ft of torque, and a happy five-speed manual transmission that conspire to achieve a 0-to-60 time of 4.7 seconds in our tests. For its part, Subaru estimates the 2009 2.5GT to achieve the sprint to 60 in 6.9 seconds.

WRX, Please

Although speed isn’t all things to all people, money might be, and we can’t get our heads around the GT’s price. At $27,690, it’s two grand more than the base WRX sedan and $500 less than the comparably equipped WRX Premium. In our opinion, this is just too much money for what is essentially an economy car with 224 hp. Perhaps a navigation system or sport seats might help, but as is, there is little to lift the car into the “special” category.

Subaru’s official position, for what it’s worth, is that the 2.5GT would appeal to a different all-around buyer than the WRX, “a specific audience” that might otherwise find the $21,690 Impreza 2.5i Premium (automatic) appealing but wants the extra kick of the turbo mill. Whether or not customers will find that kick to be worth an extra $6500 remains to be seen, of course, but we think most buyers won’t.